Sal Viveros, Head of Global Corp Communications at Ivanti.
Getty
After two years of pandemic-induced remote work, companies are calling workers back to the office—only to find that many employees no longer wish for full-time office positions. Like it or not, the “everywhere workplace” is here to stay, and it’s upending the traditional business model.
Here are five ways the everywhere workplace is permanently disrupting the status quo:
1. Employees can control where they work.
With unemployment in the U.S. below 4% and many companies competing to fill vacancies, employees are now in control of determining where and when they work. The “great resignation” has proven employees are not afraid to quit if expectations aren’t being met. The potential softening of the economy and a looming recession aren’t enough to fully reverse this employee-centered trend because the everywhere workplace means that employees can work for any company, anywhere and aren’t limited geographically. That opens up a literal world of opportunities for them.
Today, employees are looking beyond paychecks and benefits when considering a position. Our Everywhere Workplace Report found that 71% of employees would rather work from anywhere than be promoted. Additionally, 24% of respondents stated that they would quit their job if their employer enforced a full-time return to the office policy, and only 13% of respondents said they would like to work permanently in the office. Respondents indicated that the top three benefits of working remotely are time savings due to less commuting (48%), better work-life balance (43%) and a more flexible work schedule (43%).
Furthermore, the number of digital nomads continues to climb, especially among younger generations. A 2021 survey sponsored by MBO found that 15.5 million workers currently describe themselves as digital nomads, increasing an incredible 112% from 2019.
These stats, combined with news stories highlighting employee pushback against companies requiring staff to return to the office, make the current environment unclear. Knowledge workers expect a hybrid work option and are willing to leave a job if not given that option.
2. The 9-to-5 schedule is becoming extinct.
The old notion of believing everyone needs to be in the same space at the same time to be productive has been turned upside down. Gone are the days of the 9-to-5, Monday through Friday in-office work model. Today, if companies want to attract and retain top talent, they need to allow for employee autonomy when it comes to work schedules.
The current landscape demands a top-down shift focusing on the work itself and not when and where it is done. Employees are looking for a better work-life balance, and some companies are embracing this shift by experimenting with flexible work hours and four-day work weeks. The opportunity to create a better work-life balance can result in increased productivity. The Gartner 2021 Digital Worker Experience Survey revealed that 43% of respondents said flexible working hours helped them achieve more productivity.
When companies focus on outcomes and accomplishments instead of set hours worked, they can cultivate a work environment that ultimately leads to more productivity and efficiency, plus happier employees.
3. Communication, collaboration and culture are now priorities.
In the everywhere workplace, there is no watercooler or lunchroom where employees can strike up those everyday conversations that are intrinsic to developing relationships that ultimately strengthen a company’s culture. There is an elevated need to examine how companies communicate and facilitate collaboration to ensure continued employee engagement and a positive corporate culture.
It’s all too easy for organizations to create silos in a hybrid work environment. Networking and team building need to extend beyond the next email or video meeting. Management needs to be proactive in engaging employees and developing a positive culture. It’s imperative to create those social interactions that make work more than project deadlines and outcomes. This also necessitates a shift in HR from processes and paperwork to people and the growing importance of creating a welcoming workplace culture that engages employees.
4. We must have an employee-first mentality.
Great employee experiences have a ripple effect on a company. Positive experiences result in happy employees who make for more productive employees—and, by extension, happy customers. In other words, employee experience needs to be a priority for the C-suite as it directly correlates to not only employee productivity but also to morale and job satisfaction.
Employee experience is no longer just about free snacks; it encompasses everything from how valued employees feel at work to the type of tech they use to do their job. Knowledge workers are becoming more discerning about the tools and devices they use and the experience they have with them. Our recent study revealed that 49% of employees are frustrated by company-provided tech and 26% are considering leaving their job because of it.
If companies hope to attract and retain top talent and increase productivity, there needs to be a shift to an employee-first mentality. Employers need to actively address employee engagement, well-being and the tools people need to do their jobs well.
5. IT needs a seat at the decision-making table.
As the everywhere workplace expands, so do the number of devices, apps and other technologies needed for continued productivity. IT is responsible for discovering and managing more devices on and off a network than ever before and securing them in a way that is unobtrusive to the user.
As more employees use their personal devices for work purposes, there is an increased cybersecurity risk. Companies look to IT to provide security protocols that reduce risks and policy violations. The role of IT is much more than providing help desk support; it’s fundamental to employee experience and a company’s security. With so much at stake, it is vital that IT is a part of any discussion concerning technology policies and investments.
The everywhere workplace isn’t going anywhere. With it comes a need to embrace disruption and make a fundamental shift in the business model of many companies. It’s an exciting time for leaders to position their organizations as innovators—if they are willing to embrace the disruptions and this permanent change.
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